Vick ruled out for Sunday; Foles to start for Eagles

Nov. 16, 2012
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Eagles quarterbacks Michael Vick, left, and Nick Foles warm up before last weekend's game against the Dallas Cowboys. Vick left the game with a concussion and Foles replaced him, throwing for 219 yards and a touchdown. / Michael Perez, AP

by Mike Garafolo and Robert Klemko, USA TODAY Sports

by Mike Garafolo and Robert Klemko, USA TODAY Sports

As expected, Michael Vick will not start Sunday's game against the Washington Redskins because of the concussion he suffered last weekend vs. the Dallas Cowboys.

According to a person with knowledge of Vick's playing status, Vick is out, and rookie Nick Foles will start in his place. The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity because the decision had not yet been announced.

The Eagles did not confirm the development but planned a rare news media availability for team trainer Rick Burkholder after Friday's practice.

A person close to Vick separately told USA TODAY Sports that the quarterback is still recovering from the head blow that knocked him out of the team's fifth loss in a row.

"He's recovering and he's in good spirits and remaining positive," the person told USA TODAY Sports. "He's alert and strong."

Foles, a third-round draft pick out of Arizona, will make his first career start this weekend after passing for 219 yards, a touchdown and an interception vs. Dallas.

Coach Andy Reid is on the hot seat with a 3-6 record, in light of team owner Jeffrey Lurie's offseason remarks that the coach had better improve on the team's 8-8 finish in 2011.

Foles is described as a meticulous worker by teammates, and a player who "can make all the throws" by Redskins defensive coordinator Jim Haslett. The Redskins have lost eight games in a row against rookie starting quarterbacks, most recently to Cam Newton's Carolina Panthers last season.

Coach Mike Shanahan this week described the pitfalls of facing rookie passers: "You haven¹t had the chance to evaluate them a lot, except for the limited play he has had. You get a chance to go back into preseason, you just really don¹t know for sure. We were lucky enough to have him for a week at the Senior Bowl. Not that you know everything about him. He¹s a great kid with a lot of ability."